Oh boy. I feel your pain.

I don't know if you'd want them back. It depends on the setting, but iTunes usually compresses the photos that it puts on your iPod. Meaning, you may have had big, high-res, photos but what you'll get back might be tiny, low-res junk.

But, junk is better than nothing.

Does this help?

http://destraynor.com/serendipity/index.php?/archives/26-How-to-get-music-off-your-iPod.html

Perhaps your photos are in there somewhere too.

And I'd highly recommend picking up an external USB drive. Keep your whole system backed up regularly.

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